EMPLOYERS across Coventry and Warwickshire are being urged to give something back to their local community by signing up to an annual volunteering event.

Give and Gain Day 2012 will take place in May – providing hundreds of firms across the region with the chance to get involved in a number of worthwhile local projects.

Organised by Business in the Community, Give and Gain is the UK’s only national day of employee volunteering, which encourages thousands of people to give up their time during work hours to make a difference in their community.

Last year, 30 companies in the region sent out over 500 volunteers for the event - donating over 4,000 hours to benefit thousands of people in disadvantaged communities.

Coventry and Warwickshire firms which took part included E.On, Jaguar Land Rover, Ceva Logistics, NP Aerospace, Whitefriars, Wolseley UK and the University of Warwick.

These businesses collectively helped students from seven Coventry secondary schools by running a series of activities to improve their employability skills.

This year, firms are being urged to sign up to a Fit for Fun event at Keresley Grange School in the city. The event will bring together children from across Coventry and Warwickshire with the aim of showing them that physical activity can be enjoyable.

David Darlaston, director at Business in the Community West Midlands, said: “Give and Gain Day 2012 is a chance for companies to show that they are really committed to their communities.

“The impact and change that people can affect is remarkable, and first-hand experience builds skills and motivation in a unique way.

“It’s a win-win with 87 per cent of the employees that take part having increased loyalty towards and perception of their employer as a result.”

Business in the Community is looking for teams of employee volunteers to devise and run physical activities suitable for children aged nine and 11. In addition, companies can volunteer to help local community organisations with practical projects such as painting, decorating or gardening, delivering programmes in schools or working with homeless people.

This year’s Give and Gain Day is being held on May 18 and will see thousands take part across the country.

Companies wanting to get involved should visit www.bitc.org.uk/giveandgainday or contact Mary Judge at Business in the Community on 02476 401054.